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How Can Authors Choose a Location for Book Signings in Phoenix?

I have seen a few book signings for local authors in the Phoenix area, and have noted some of the details that make some exceptional compared to others. Authors should consider some tips before choosing a location for the event.

Many authors decide on local coffeehouses for their meet-and-greet. This makes sense because one of the most common things to do while reading is to enjoy a beverage, usually one with caffeine. Hosting the event at a small to medium size coffeehouse allows everyone to get a tasty drink before getting in line to meet the author. Such a location usually has plenty of seating, too, so it’s not hard to sit down, even while waiting in line.

Another popular location is, of course, a local bookstore. This often provides more space than the typical coffeehouse, yet most bookstores also have a small café so everyone can still get refreshments. This is the most popular spot for more famous authors, so if you are expecting quite a crowd, you should plan to meet at a major bookstore.

One mistake to avoid is meeting at a spot that is normally crowded with people who are not there for the event. If the people who show up for the book signing constantly feel in the way of everyone else, or do not have a place to sit the entire time, they may just go home instead of waiting. If you want to consider the comfort of your fans, you should avoid picking the most popular spot in town for the event.

To Get Coffee Or Not To Get Coffee

That is the question

Any time I’m tempted to get coffee to go along with my books, I have to stop and think of all the pros and cons of buying individual drinks rather than making coffee at home. This is a constant struggle that leads me to always rethink my decisions.

On the one hand, I always seem to have a gift card for Starbucks, so I usually figure I might as well use it. It’s free coffee after all. Of course, the real struggle comes when I am at a bookstore with a café other than Starbucks, at which point I have to decide whether a cup of coffee is worth $5.

In addition, the coffee at most coffeehouses is full of chocolate, sugar, and chocolate syrup. That’s what makes it so delicious, but of course that cannot be good for any diet. Though I do put plenty of flavored creamer in my coffee at home, I’ve done the math on the calories and fat, and it pales in comparison to a drink from a café.

Despite all the disadvantages of coffee from Starbucks or elsewhere, there is the convenience factor since obviously I do not have my coffeemaker with me as I read in a bookstore. That’s why it’s nice to occasionally get a drink while out. Due to the drawbacks, I have decided to simply make this my occasional treat instead of a habit I have every day, though that might be hard if I went to a bookstore daily.

What I Look for in Local Coffeehouses

A new coffeehouse just opened by my house, and I can’t wait to try it out. I hope it lives up to my expectations.

Of course, as long as there is coffee, I’ll be satisfied. However, there are a few details I find that I like to see in places serving caffeine. For example, this particular café also serves some food, and someone I know even had lunch there. I did not consider going there for lunch since I had only coffee on the brain when thinking about this place, but I may decide to go during lunch one day. The only drawback is that I usually have my son with me during the middle of the day, so I hope they have high chairs or similar kid-friendly seating.

Speaking of seats, I hope they have some comfortable chairs for the days customers just want to curl up with a good book, which is not an unusual sight to see at a coffeehouse. In addition, I hope the prices are not too outrageous, which they could be considering that there is not a lot of competition around here. All we have is a coffee kiosk or two, so I am excited to have a local place to get coffee that also has a nice atmosphere.

Finally, I hope the shop is flexible when it comes to making the drinks. I like to get fat-free or sugar-fat products as much as possible so that I do not ruin my attempts at eating healthy when I am simply trying to get a caffeine fix. Some cafes I have been to frown on changing the drink at all with low-fat or sugar-free products, so I’m hoping this will not be an issue. I would hate to have to return to the local kiosks, defeated.

E-Readers vs Real Books

It’s an age-old question, well, in the last few years anyway: Has the e-reader replaced the traditional book? I see a lot of readers expressing their concern on this topic lately, but the worry is not necessarily warranted. I think they both have a place in the heart of any reader.

I have to admit that I love the smell of books, especially brand new ones. That’s why I love the smell of most bookstores. Brand new pages combined with the scent of coffee can make for a perfect afternoon. I also like collecting cute bookmarks, a task that can only be performed with purpose when you have a traditional book. Of course, I do enjoy that critical moment when you have to decide whether to place a “dog ear” in the book when you can’t find a bookmark. It requires carefully considering whether you will need the book to look new for years, such as if you plan to sell it or lend it out eventually.

E-readers, of course, do not require these major decisions, aside from the initial choice of which one to buy. Fortunately, the decision was made for me since I was given both an iPad and a Kindle as a gift. I do enjoy downloading and reading the latest books on these devices, and I appreciate how much less space they take up than a whole shelf of books.

Clearly, there are some advantages and disadvantages, and at the end of the day, I think there is room for both e-readers and regular books. Many other readers I have talked to agree, as they all love different features about both choices, so I don’t think either is going anywhere anytime soon.

Young Children and the Library: Do they Mix?

Many libraries in the Phoenix area feature activities for children of all ages. If you enjoy going to the library but tend to avoid it now that you have kids at home with you, consider some good reasons to start going again. Both you and the kids will be better for it.

If you are trying to instill a love of reading into your kids, you probably simply read to them, such as every night before bed. You may have quite a selection of books for kids at home, but no matter how big it is, it cannot compare to the library’s selection. If you want your kids to be used to being surrounded by books, what better place to start than at the library?

You should also know that most libraries offer story time for different age groups. This means even toddlers may feel welcome at the library. As long as you think your child can handle being fairly quiet for a half hour, you should bring him or her to listen to stories. Even if you are not sure, there is no harm in trying it out. Kids need to learn when to be quiet somehow, so it may be good to start this habit now.

Most cities in Phoenix have at least one library, as there are several satellite locations. This means you may even have one within walking distance, making this a great way to get out and get some exercise on the way to pick up books for both you and the kids. And of course, it’s free; what could be better than that?

3 Reasons I Love Going to Any Starbucks in Chandler

As a writer with a toddler, I rarely get time to write or read in peace. But lately, one of my favorite things to do is drop my son off at his grandpa’s house in Chandler, and then head to the nearest Starbucks. I’m sure it’s clichéd since I know that seems to be the trendy hangout of the last decade, but for a mom with little quiet time, it’s a haven. Here are a few things I like about any and all Starbucks in the Chandler/Gilbert area:

1) The caffeine

I think most parents of babies know what I mean when I discuss my dependence on coffee. It’s gotten me through a lot of hard times since my son was born, and I continue to appreciate its constant presence in my life. Starbucks is one of the best places to go for coffee since you can get the same exact drink whether you are in Phoenix or on a road trip to California. Unless the employees screw up the formula, you know just what to expect, and exactly how to order it.

2) Gift cards

For some reason, I always have gift cards to Starbucks. I think my friends and family are just aware of my coffee addiction, so they shower me with gift cards for it. No, seriously, they do; I got 5 Starbucks gift cards on my birthday last year, and then one from a client for Christmas. So I know that even when I’m broke or trying to save money, I can always get my beloved mocha.

3) Comfortable seating

I don’t tend to go to Starbucks during its busy times, as I usually go in the middle of the day, in the middle of the week. Therefore, I can always find a spot where I can set up my laptop to write, or sit back and read a book, all while sipping my coffee of course. That is, until my father-in-law is ready to relinquish my son for the day. Then it’s back to reality for me.

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